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Barcinas given one week before leaving for Hawaii
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Posted on Aug 30 2004
The U.S. military has granted Dandan Elementary School principal Jonas Barcinas one week to prepare for his 18-month deployment order for Iraq.
Barcinas said that, instead of leaving last Sunday, he is allowed to stay for another week and eventually depart on Sunday, Sept. 5.
“This is precious time for me. I’m really grateful because I still have this week to do my personal errands and put my school in order,” said Barcinas.
He said that he still has mixed emotions “but at least now I have peace because I’m certain when I’m leaving.”
Barcinas said he intends to call for a general meeting with students and possibly with parents to say goodbye and ask for their prayer and support.
“As soldiers, we need the community’s prayer at this time of conflict. What we want is peace and harmony and protection and safety for the whole group,” he said.
Barcinas will be joining other CNMI reservists on a six-month intensive training in Hawaii and Louisiana prior to their one-year deployment in Iraq.
Pentagon has decided to tap military reserve personnel to reinforce U.S. military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But while other CNMI reservists had gone for training in Hawaii last month, returned, and departed again for the 18-month deployment, Barcinas had been left behind, prompting him to assume that he would not be needed. He said it was a shock to him when received a notice from the military in Hawaii two weekends ago that he needed to pack up and leave on Aug. 29 for Iraq assignment.
Barcinas had sought written endorsement from legislators as well PSS for him to be granted a two-week travel delay.
“I’m so happy even with a one-week extension,” he said yesterday.
